Roosh Williams Preps Houston Rap Full-Court Press On Deja Roo

Last week, Roosh Williams, one of the demigods among the current class of underrated Houston rappers, released a new track with Bubba Sparxxx, "Fraudulent". That's right, Bubba Sparxxx.

The track is a Southern-fried delicacy that Roosh calmly executes with his aggressive double-time slick talk and Sparxxx showing he hasn't lost a step behind the mike. The track is set to appear on Williams' upcoming Deja Roo project this month and so we had to dig deeper.

Rocks Off: Obvious question first. How in the hell did you find Bubba Sparxxx for the "Fraudulent" record?

Roosh Williams: [Laughs] Man honestly, we had just finished the last stretch of the Emilio Rojas tour in Kansas and driven to OKC where I was on the way to the airport. I had my old CD case with me and I was jammin a copy of Bubba's Dark Days, Bright Nights that I had from way back when. I figured he'd be relatively accessible since I hadn't heard much from him lately, so I had my manager reach out to him and the rest took care of itself.

RO: Is that the only feature on Deja Roo or are we to expect you pull out an encyclopedia of once forgotten rappers?

RW: Haha! Hmm... you can expect to see Doughbeezy for sure. There are obvious clues in place to piece together the remainder of the puzzle. But I would say there are some prime features on this project, without question. I wanted to create a classic album that I would enjoy listening to on any given day...and quality features can really take that aspect of it to another level.

RO: Outside of The Stompboxx, who else contributed production wise?

RW: Lacemode produced a thunderous trap-esque record for the joint, there are two gems from the main homie Trakksounds, a real nice laid-back joint produced by homie Blev, BrainGang Blue out of Dallas produced one of my favorite records, and the shortest record on the project was produced by a cat I met online who goes by the name of Al Patron. Basically kept the production in Texas, save Blev and Patron. Very intricate production throughout.

RO: Speaking of keeping it close, you tour mostly in between Austin, here and OKC. Does it irk you at times people don't classify you as a "Houston" rapper?

RW: I would have to say yes, and no. I love my city. I love being in my city. I love watching my city thrive. I love representing my city. But, at first glance, not much about me screams Houston...at least not in regards to my art.

And it's cool, like that's really not a problem to me. Only a portion of my musical influences were Houston-based, so it makes perfect sense. To me, I don't sound like what you would expect from a typical Houston rapper, but I do believe that my ability commands respect.

I actually think that this allows me to stand out and is one of my biggest strengths. Kinda like a reverse ASAP Rocky. I only make the ASAP Rocky comparison in the regard that he doesn't sound like a typical NY rapper. The same way that I don't sound like the majority of artists who come from my city.

RO: A$AP talks fashion. You talk basketball and the Rockets like an absolute die-hard.

RW: Ahhhhhhhhh! Yes. Die-hard hoops fan. However at this point in life, I am transitioning out of devotion to the professional game due to the stresses, imperfections, and unavoidable biases associated with it. Like, why should I get so worked up and pissed off that my team lost when, at the end of the day, it's a business and not actually the game I fell in love with?

I love the inner-workings, tactics, and Xs and Os so much, though. It's like nonstop chess, and no one has to die. Also --- let it be known that my jump shot is not to be fawk'd with. College 3 or NBA, don't matter.

RO: That would make you the H-Town rap version of the 2-3 Zone, no?

RW: I'd say the H-Town rap full-court press.

RO: Lastly, what can we expect from Deja Roo? Aside from the cliches about this being a classic project and it's my greatest work to date?